Narragansett Indian collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: C#00213

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Various documents related to Narragansett Indian affairs for the years 1735-1742. Documents include petitions and reports to the General Assembly, court cases, minutes of meetings, accounts and receipts.

Dates

c. 1735-1970's

Extent

2.4 Cubic Feet (1 record carton originals/1 record carton of access copies)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Narragansett Indian collection is a compilation of documents extracted from manuscript proceedings of the general assembly. Comprising 196 items, the records consist primarily of eighteenth & nineteenth century acts & resolutions, petitions, memorials & reports issued as relating to land transfers between tribal leaders & the colony / state, or between individual members residing both inside & outside of Rhode Island. Several stray items surrounding efforts toward tribal recognition & federal acknowledgement commencing in the 1970’s are included. Majority of the collection may have been organized by the Commissioner of Indian affairs, an office established by act of the legislature, approved Jan. 30, 1840 to oversee the affairs of the Narragansett Indian Tribe & to settle controversies arising from real & personal estates. The office of commissioner remained in effect until tribal authority was abolished by public law, chapter 800, approved Mach 31, 1880.

Subjects

Court records Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Indians of North America--Rhode Island Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island Subject Source: Library Of Congress Subject Headings
Narragansett Indians. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
ledgers (account books) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
minutes (administrative records) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
official reports Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
petitions Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
receipts (financial records) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus